AUSTIN, Texas — The unprovoked, random and near-fatal assault of a man at the Austin Central Library in Downtown Austin sparked viral social media outrage, and people wanted to know why the alleged assailant was on the street and not behind bars for prior attacks.
The incident, which occurred on March 11, led to an arrest by Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, who was at the library for a community meeting. It has also put a spotlight on the issue of mental health treatment versus prosecution.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Daniel Vasquez, has been living on the streets of Austin for several years. Court records indicate that he has a well-documented mental health history, and had previously been arrested and charged with both felonies and misdemeanors involving violence against random strangers well prior to the library incident…